New Orleans Red Beans And Rice - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 bag kidney beans
1 lb. chopped ham or large bone with ham on it
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 large onions, chopped
1 bay leaf
pinch of thyme
pinch of oregano
rice
2 medium celery stalks, chopped

Preparation

Soak beans in water overnight.
When ready to cook, combine all ingredients, except rice, and fill pot with water.
Bring to a boil, then simmer a few hours until soft enough to puree.
Puree 1 cup of beans in blender.
Stir into pot and mix so beans are slightly soupy.
Salt and pepper to taste (never cook beans in salted water!).
Serve over fluffy white rice as a main course with French bread and green salad.